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Distinguished Faculty Awards

Distinguished Faculty Member of the Year awards are given to faculty members in each School who are nominated by students, staff and faculty for outstanding accomplishments. The recipients exemplify the finest qualities of the Excelsior College faculty and are representative of the extraordinary and truly distinguished service they provide to students and the College.

Barbara B. Pieper, PhD, RN

School of Health Sciences

Barbara B. Pieper has been affiliated with Excelsior College for over 28 years. As a founding faculty member of the School of Health Sciences, she was nominated for this award for her instrumental role in the development of the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor in Health Care Management degree programs. She has also served as project manager for the Emerson Foundation grant to design and implement a series of media-rich continuing education modules for a consortium of nursing homes and hospitals in Central New York. She earned a BS in Nursing/Science from State University of New York at Albany, an MN in Community Health Teaching from the University of Kansas, a PhD in Nursing Theory from Adelphi University, and a post doctoral certificate from Harvard Medical School in Palliative Care Education and Practice.

Larry Purnell, PhD, RN, FAAN

School of Nursing

Larry Purnell has more than 45 years of professional clinical experience and administrative/teaching positions, has written/edited 14 textbooks, over 150 articles, and 50 book chapters. He has presented throughout the United States and in 16 countries abroad. Dr. Purnell is also the U.S. representative to the European Union Commission on Intercultural Communication. Currently, he serves on the Nursing Graduate Education Committee, the Nursing Faculty Council, and the Faculty Development and Support Steering Committee. His nomination noted that he "far exceeds any professor I ever had," and that "he is passionate to his career, his class, and his students." Purnell has an Associate Degree in Nursing from Cuyahoga Community College, a BSN from Kent State University, an MSN from Rush University, and a PhD in Health Services Administration for Columbia Pacific University.

Larry Schuetz, PhD

School of Business and Technology

In addition to teaching at Excelsior College, Larry Schuetz, is also a consultant in Central Oregon. His military background uniquely positions him for working with Excelsior’s many student servicemembers. He was formerly an Education Services Officer, serving as an Education Services Specialist for the U.S. Navy College in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and as a guidance counselor for the U.S. Army at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. A veteran of the Navy, he earned Expeditionary Services Medals and the Bronze Star for service in Vietnam. His nomination noted, "Dr. Scheutz showed compassion and concern for the entire class. He challenged us to think" and "It is evident Dr. Schuetz cared about those in class and wanted the best learning experience possible." Schuetz earned a BS in Business from Southern Oregon University, an MBA/MPA in Management in Quantitative Methods and Organizational Behavior from Willamette University, and a PhD in Training, Business and Statistics from Oregon State University.

Sara Weinstock, BA, MA, MFA

School of Liberal Arts

Sara Weinstock has over 12 years of college teaching experience and, additionally, has published a nonfiction book and a novel. She teaches a variety of liberal arts courses for Excelsior. Weinstock is also a military spouse who understands the distinct needs of servicemembers and their families. Her nomination noted, "She embodies the noblest principles of teaching and the highest standards of academic achievement and integrity." Weinstock holds a BA in Oral Communication from the University of Central Oklahoma, an MFA in Theatre from the University of California, San Diego, and an MA in Humanities from California State University, Dominguez Hills.